COVID-19

Viral tests are swab or saliva tests.

• They can show if you have a current infection.
• There are two types of viral tests: antigen tests and nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs).
• Viral tests can be rapid tests (results in 15-30 min) or laboratory-based tests (that can take 1-3 days for results). Most antigen tests and some NAAT tests are rapid tests.
• There are now several rapid tests that are available over-the-counter (OTC) for testing yourself at home or anywhere. Most of these are antigen tests. See self-testing to learn more.
• PCR tests are a type of NAAT test that is usually performed in a laboratory. PCR tests are considered the most accurate test for COVID-19. They are often used to confirm the results of rapid tests.
• NAAT and antigen tests can be used whether you have symptoms or not. There are trade-offs to both kinds of tests. Rapid tests are recommended when you need or want to know your results right away but false results are a bit more common. More accurate NAATs (usually PCR tests) are recommended to confirm some rapid test results and when a person can wait for the test result; these tests are less likely to yield a false result. Antigen tests are recommended over NAAT tests when testing to get out of isolation early or if you had COVID-19 in the past 3 months.
• See Understanding Your Viral Test Result and What to do Next for more information.

Antibody tests (also known as serology tests) are blood tests.

• They might tell you if you had an infection in the past, but they cannot tell you when.
• They should not be used to test for a current infection or to tell if you are protected from getting COVID-19 in the future.

	VIRAL TESTS (swab or saliva tests) Looks for current infection		ANTIBODY TEST (blood tests) Looks for past infection
	NUCLEIC ACID AMPLIFICATION TEST (NAAT) (molecular tests e.g. PCR and LAMP*)	ANTIGEN TEST	ANTIBODY TEST (serologic test or serology)
How the test works	Detects genetic material (RNA) within the COVID-19 virus	Detects proteins (or antigens) on the surface of the COVID-19 virus	Detects antibodies made by the immune system
How the test is done	Saliva, or swab from nose or throat	Swab from nose or throat	Blood from arm or finger stick
How long it takes to get results	Same day and up to 3 days. Some are rapid (around 20 minutes)	Most are rapid, around 15 minutes or less	Same day and up to 3 days
Over the counter self-tests	A few companies make them	Many companies make them	Not available

*Includes PCR (e.g., Reverse-Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction - RT-PCR) and Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP)

The following information refers to COVID-19 viral tests.

• If you have COVID-19 symptoms:
  • Talk to your doctor and get tested as soon as possible— even if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines or have had COVID-19 in the past.
• If you have been a "close contact" to someone with COVID-19 within the last 10 days:
  • Testing is required on Day 5 after your exposure if you are in quarantine. In addition, if you are at increased risk for severe illness or live with someone who is, it is recommended you also test as soon possible. For more details on what testing is recommended after exposure, visit ph.lacounty.gov/covidquarantine.
• To end isolation early
  • If you are in isolation for a COVID-19 infection, you may be able to get out early (after at least 5 days) if you test negative. See isolation instructions.
• Before and after travel
  • Get tested 1-3 days before domestic travel and 3-5 days after returning from any travel (foreign or domestic), even if you are fully vaccinated.
  • Testing is REQUIRED for all international travelers before boarding a plane to the US.
  • See LAC DPH Travel Advisory for current recommendations.
  • Testing may also be required before and after arriving in other countries. Check the rules before you plan your travel.
• If you plan to go to a gathering or event
  • It is recommended that you get tested if you are going to be gathering indoors with people from other households, especially if there will be people attending who are at risk of getting severely ill from COVID-19 or are unvaccinated. This is very important if you are not vaccinated. If you are fully vaccinated, testing before attending an event adds an extra layer of protection for everyone at the gathering.
• After attending a gathering or event
  • It is recommended that you get tested after attending gatherings or events with large numbers of people, especially if the event was indoors.
• If you work in a place where COVID-19 vaccination is required
  • Regular testing is required for persons who are not fully vaccinated at many workplaces.
• If you are visiting certain places and you are not fully vaccinated. A negative test is required to enter many places, including:
  • Mega-events, both indoors and outdoors
  • Indoors at skilled nursing facilities*, intermediate care facilities, and juvenile detention facilities
  • Adult correctional and detention centers
  • Certain businesses and venues.
  *Effective December 15, 2021 through January 31, 2022, all general visitors to indoor portions of skilled nursing facilities must have a negative test prior to entry, regardless of vaccination status. See Health Officer Order.
• If you are a staff member or an athlete participating in moderate- or high-risk organized youth sports, including school sports teams.
  • For information about testing requirements and recommendations see COVID-19 Prevention at Youth Sports and the Protocol for Organized Youth Sports.
• If you are a schoolteacher or student
  • Teachers who are not fully vaccinated are required to get regular testing.
  • It is recommended that students get regular testing if they are not fully vaccinated.
  • If community transmission rates are high, fully vaccinated students and teachers may also be asked to get tested.

Note: There may be other settings that have their own testing requirements.

• At your doctor's office or health center. If you need help finding a doctor, call 2-1-1 or visit 211LA. To find local health centers offering free testing, visit Community-Based Testing Sites for COVID-19.
• In a pharmacy. Many pharmacies offer free COVID-19 viral tests. Visit Community-Based Testing Sites for COVID-19 or visit the website of your local pharmacy for details.
• From your employer or school. If your employer or school requires a test, get a test through your employer or educational facility.
• County-sponsored testing.  Visit covid19.lacounty.gov/testing to learn more about these options for free PCR testing. If you don’t have access to the internet or email or need help arranging a test, call 2-1-1. You will not be asked about your immigration status when you use these services.
  • Visit a testing site. There are many county and partner testing sites across Los Angeles. The results typically take 24-48 hours.
  • Get a test kit. For people ages 4+ who live in LA County and have COVID-19 symptoms or think they were exposed to COVID-19.
    • Order a kit online. The kit is mailed to you. You collect the sample and return it to the lab via FedEx. The result takes approximately 48 hours from when the specimen arrives at the lab.
    • Pick-up a test kit from a location in LA County. You collect the sample at home or in your car and return the kit to the same site. The test result takes 24-48 hours. Supplies are limited.
• At home. Home collection kits and self-test kits are available by prescription and over the counter (OTC).
  • For home collection kits, you collect the sample at home and then send it to a lab or test site for processing.
  • For self-test kits, you collect the sample and do the test yourself.
  Visit the CDC self-testing website to learn more. You can now order 4 free COVID-19 self-test kits per household at COVIDtests.gov. The tests are mailed via USPS in 7-12 days. They are rapid antigen tests that give a result in 30 minutes.
  OTC self-test kits can be purchased in pharmacies and stores or online. Most insurers will pay or provide reimbursement (see details below). Beware of self-test kit scams—see how to avoid buying fake test kits online.

For information about testing children, see COVID-19 Testing Resources for Children.

Beware of COVID-19 testing scams – learn more from the Federal Trade Commission about scam test sites and our COVID-19 scams and fraud page.

• Health insurers are required (by federal law) to cover the entire cost of testing whether you have symptoms or not if a doctor orders the test. (Note: insurance companies may not cover COVID-19 testing if done as part of an employee return-to-work program.)
• Most people with health insurance can go online, or to a pharmacy or store to get an FDA-authorized COVID-19 self-test kit at no cost, either through reimbursement or free of charge through their insurance. Health insurance companies will pay for up to 8 at-home tests per month for each person on the plan. They pay up to $12 per individual test (or the cost of the test, if less than $12). Medicare does not provide this service, but some Medicare Advantage programs do. For more information visit the CMS at home over the counter webpage.
• Testing at LA County testing sites is free for all LA County residents. This includes undocumented residents and those with and without health insurance. Visit covid19.lacounty.gov/testing.
• COVID-19 tests are available at no cost nationwide at health centers and select pharmacies. Visit Community-Based Testing Sites for COVID-19.

• Talk to your doctor about which test is right for you.
• If you have to be tested for screening purposes such as for work or travel, make sure that you get a test that meets the requirements of your employer, airline, or other institution.
• Before you get a test make sure that you know:
  • What type of test you are being offered (NAAT or antigen).
  • How long it will take to get your results.
  • How you will find out the results.
  • What precautions you should take while you wait for your results and what you should do if your result is positive or is negative.
• After you receive your test result, make sure that you understand what your result means and what to do next. You should be given a fact sheet about the test you received. If you did not, ask for one.

Talk with your doctor to make sure you understand what your viral test result means and any next steps. If you did a home test and need advice about what to do next, you can also call the DPH COVID-19 information line at 1-833-540-0473.